http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/19/wo...ltar.html?_r=0

Things are heating up as usual between Spain and British-owned (but locally autonomous) Gibraltar and now Madrid is considering a 50 euro fee to just enter this backwater that Spain claims should be its territory and not Britain's.

So if thinking of Gibraltar you may not only have to pay to enter but also go through long waits at Customs to leave as Spanish authorities, the article says, are meticulously searching leaving folks for cigarettes and tobacco - which are much cheaper on the Rock than just across the frontier in Spain - see the astounding number of cigarettes imported into Gibraltar - enough to have every man woman and child puffing constantly day and night.

Gibraltar is one of the very most fascinating places I have been but I'm not sure I would have forked over 50 euros to see this few-square mile of Rock - though the tail-less apes may make it all worthwhile!

They are considering 50€ to enter and 50€ to leave. The only reasons to go there were to get married, buy English language books, and visit one's banker. 100€ ? No thanks.

"Gibraltar is one of the very most fascinating places I have been"
Ok Pal now you've done it - you've lost all credibility with me.

well let me parse fascinating - I am fascinated by backwaters - places that seem stagnant for decades - weird places - yes I was bored to death after a few hours but it was such a unique place - the locals who are Spanish ethnics but speak well not the Queen's English but English - the pubs - red phone boxes - fascinated by a weird place but yes not the ho-hum place itself - though those apes were appealing - and thieves as well if you have any food about on a picnic.

This is old news and never likely to happen

maybe old news but to us NYTimes reader it is new news though I know what you mean - they have tried these machinations many times before.

Agree that Gibraltar is unique - boring, stagnant, nothing to see/do but a viw of Africa and some nasty monkeys that like harassing tourists - stealing things and biting if not fed.

We went - many years ago - and although free it took about 1.5 hours to get back into Spain (we had to wait while they took our car apart - as if we were drug smugglers)

With all there is to see and do in Spain - IMHO a must not go.

I wouldn't pay 2 centimos to enter Gibraltar! And yes, it is very much a backwater.

This "feud" between Spain and Britain comes around every few years.I remember when they actually closed the crossing and there were sad photos of families and friends meeting and talking with each other at the chain link fence!People were stuck there for days!
Spain has problems that are so much bigger than wanting to claim back the rock,starting with the horrific corruption in politics and unemployment............

"Spain has problems that are so much bigger than wanting to claim back the rock,starting with the horrific corruption in politics and unemployment............"

Which is precisely why they are doing their sabre rattling now.

Maybe if they handed back their island and enclaves to Morocco they'd have a bit more credence.

As it is a charge would be illegal under EU law and they know it.

Different strokes... I happen to like Gibraltar very much. I think the Spanish are being silly and the Brits are being provocative, and I doubt if the entry/exit fees will happen. Time for the EU to step in. I agree that this is probably a diversionary tactic on the part of the Spanish politicians. By far the majority of people that would be hurt by such fees would be Spanish workers and shoppers.

***As it is a charge would be illegal under EU law and they know it.***
Just like the toll booths that replaced the old custom buildings when entering/leaves Spain/France near Irun?

Just for the sake of clarity, all of this applies only to people crossing the land border - obviously not flights in from the UK (not that I've any particular desire to go there).

A couple more background pieces:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...fe-under-siege
http://www.theguardian.com/environme...r-reef-fishing

Patrick - Spain has also threatened to close the air space, so that the only way to get in would be thru Morocco like in the 70s.

The artificial reef they are complaining about has been there for decades. It consists mainly donate, sunken boats. The new concrete blocks are justa small part of it.
The Spanish asked the Gibraltar organisation behind it for advice, got millions of euros from Brussels and made several off their own coastline. Spaniards don't fish in Gib waters, and the reef, in providing a safe breeding ground for fish, actually helps Spanish fishermen.

Spanish government's version of 'oh look - flying monkeys'

<i>Spanish government's version of 'oh look - flying monkeys'</i>

Spiteful ones. http://gardyloo.us/Spiteful%20Apes.jpg